Oguni keeps OPBF 122lb belt

By Joe Koizumi

Unbeaten OPBF super-bantamweight champ Yukinori Oguni (9-0, 2 KOs), 121.5, impressively kept his regional belt as he dropped WBC#10 ex-national titlist Masaaki Serie (21-4, 9 KOs), 122, twice and pounded out a nearly lopsided decision (118-109, 118-110, 117-110) over twelve upset rounds on Saturday in Akoh, Japan. The upright stylist Oguni had dethroned Filipino defending champ Roli Gasca by an upset verdict last November and kept it once via technical decision over ex-titlist Hiromasa Ohashi this March. The lanky ex-amateur champ, making his second defense, exploded his trademark straight right in round two, flooring the awkward challenger who had lately renounced his national belt after six defenses. Though Serie was a prefight favorite, Oguni decked him again with a left hook in the fifth and apparently took the initiative thereafter despite the challenger’s desperate retaliation. Oguni will defend his throne against former champ Roli Gasca here in November. Promoter: Shinsei Promotions.